Friday, September 30, 2016

Steve Wolfinger was planning to go on what was his first Idaho elk hunt starting Saturday in Adams and Valley counties.

But a week before he was planning to get on a jet to fly from his home in Arkansas, the 70-year-old got a letter from Regan Berkley, an Idaho Department of Fish and Game wildlife manager from McCall. She told him that private land recently owned by Potlatch Corp. that covers much of the unit where he planned to hunt is now closed.

DF Development, the new owners of the 172,000 acres of timberland and a vast road system in Adams, Valley and Boise counties, informed Fish and Game that the land will no longer be open to hunting.

Wolfinger and 304 other hunters had controlled-hunt tags for units where 30 percent of the land is owned by the Cisco, Texas, company. Berkley told those hunters they could trade their controlled-hunt tag for a general elk tag if they wanted.

Hunters go through a lottery to get controlled-hunt tags for units where they have higher odds of bagging an animal. But that won’t work for Wolfinger: He has time to hunt this week, but the general season hasn’t started yet.

I first reported in August that Farris and Dan Wilks had purchased the land owned for decades by Boise Cascade. The two Texas billionaires have been buying up land all over the West, and closing off much of the access to those lands.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

September 28, 2016 - The American Endurance Ride Conference’s Trails and Land Management Committee is pleased to announce that the House of Representatives approved H.R. 845 this week the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act.

Representatives Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Tim Walz (D-MN) introduced the legislation, which would keep more trails across the nation open and accessible by expanding the use of volunteer and partner organizations and providing increased focus on a handful of priority areas around the country.

AERC has been a proponent of the bill, working alongside The Wilderness Society, the American Horse Council and Back Country Horsemen of America and more than 100 other equestrian, sportsmen, conservation, motorized recreation, outfitters and guides, trails, and governmental organizations.

The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by 87 members of the House of Representatives, and the Senate version, S.1110, is set for “fast-tracking” with hopes that it will be signed into legislation before the end of 2016.“

We have been working toward this for almost two years,” said AERC Trails and Land Management Committee Chair Monica Chapman of Kansas. “AERC signed on early as one of the sponsors. This advocacy is part of what our members are getting as part of their dues—this is what the Trails Committee is doing to help secure the future of trails for all endurance riders.”

Chapman has visited Washington, D.C. multiple times, and has spent time visiting Senate and Representative offices as a proponent of H.R. 845 and other measures that will benefit all riders who use trails, both for casual riding and in endurance competitions.
“National forest and trails are important to thousands of recreational riders and are a vital component of the $32 billion recreational riding industry,” said Ben Pendergrass, senior vice-president of policy and legislative affairs at the American Horse Council. “This bill will help make certain that equestrians and all trail users are able to have access to and enjoy our national forests. The AHC hopes the Senate will move quickly to also approve this bill.”

“We are overjoyed that Congress recognized the need to improve the condition of trails on our national forests,” affirmed Back Country Horsemen of American Chairman Donald Saner. “We applaud Representatives Lummis and Walz and urge swift action in the Senate.
”Trails advocacy has been a vital component of AERC. Since its inception in 1972, AERC has been a leader in encouraging the use, protection and development of equestrian trails, especially those with historical significance. AERC, through its active Trails and Land Management Committee, seeks to promote awareness of the importance of trail preservation for future generations, and foster an appreciation of our American heritage.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Today, the House of Representatives passed the National Forest Service Trail Stewardship Act of 2015 (H.R.845). The bill, introduced by Representatives Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Tim Walz (D-MN), would direct the Forest Service to take several actions to help address the current trail maintenance backlog that is adversely impacting all trail users on many national forests, including equestrians. The American Horse Council, Backcountry Horsemen of America, and the Wilderness Society were significantly involved in the creation of this bill.

The AHC strongly supports the National Forest Service Trail Stewardship Act of 2015 and is pleased the House has approved this important legislation.

A June 2013, study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Forest Service has deferred trail maintenance needs that exceed half-billion dollars, and only one-quarter of the agency’s 158,000 miles of trails meets agency standards for maintenance. This maintenance backlog is causing access and safety issues for equestrians and all trail users on national forests.

The National Forest Service Trail Stewardship Act would direct the Forest Service to develop a strategy to more effectively utilize volunteers and partners to assist in maintaining national forest trails. It will also provide outfitters and guides the ability to perform trail maintenance activities in lieu of permit fees. Additionally, the bill would address a liability issue that has discouraged some national forests from utilizing volunteers and partner organizations to help perform trail maintenance and would direct the Forest Service to identify and prioritize specific areas with the greatest need for trail maintenance in the national forest system.

In the current fiscal environment it is unlikely Congress will appropriate additional funds to directly address the trail maintenance backlog. This bill will help improve trail maintenance without the need for additional funding.

Friday, September 23, 2016

August 19, 2016Read about a mother and daugther team, who with two little pack donkeys and a trusty Thoroughbred are traveling over 3000 miles across Australia on the Bicentennial National Trail.

by Eliza Allan

It had been my dream for quite some time to save up and take a year off work to travel with my young daughter. But where? And how? Backpacking through Europe? Volunteering in orphanages in South East Asia? We live in a world full of opportunities and choices, and at times it can be hard to finally bite the bullet and make a decision. I knew that I wanted this year to be big- something neither of us would ever forget. I also wanted a challenge; something that would push the both of us out of our comfort zones and force us to learn to draw on our inner strength.

So when I heard about Australia's Bicentennial National Trail, I was enthralled. Previously known as the National Horse Trail, the BNT stretches an incredible 3311 miles (5330km) between Healesville in the south and Cooktown in far north Queensland. It follows the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and the Eastern Escarpment, revealing some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The trail provides access through some of Australia’s wildest, most inaccessible country, and is thought to be the longest trail of its type in the world.

After further research, I found that previous trekkers had tackled the trail by donkey, horseback, on foot, by bicycle, and even with camels. However, not many had made it through the whole 3000 some miles. Being a horse-mad woman from way back, I was sold. I had found our big year, our dream trip, our challenge! I decided that over the course of the next 18 months, I would acquire suitable horses and prepare them for the challenges of the trail...

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Lexington, Ky. – (9/12/16) – Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) is proud to announce the appointment of Dawn Davis to the Board of Directors. ELCR’s Board of Directors brings together a team of equine industry experts with a wealth of talent and experience to direct the country’s only national organization dedicated to saving land for all equine related activity.

Ms. Davis currently resides in the prominent equestrian community of Barrington Hills, Ill., where she and her husband, J.R., preside over Barrington Hills Farm. They are both avidly devoted to preserving land for horses in the village of Barrington Hills. Dawn and J.R. are actively involved in equine rescue efforts in the Chicago area through their alliance with HARPS (Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society). Ms. Davis is Vice Chairman of Davis Bancorp and also contributes time to many other civic duties, including serving as director of the Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo), Chicago Crime Commission, Chicago Cultural Mile, and the Smith Museum of Stained Glass and American Art.

“We are delighted with the addition of Dawn Davis to the board of directors,” says ELCR President Ken Haddad. “She’s bringing expert representation and commitment from an important region of our country and for that we are grateful.”

About the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR): ELCR builds awareness of the loss of lands available for horse-related activities and facilitates the protection and preservation of those lands. We work to ensure America’s equine heritage lives on and the emotional, physical and economic benefits of the horse-human relationship remains accessible. ELCR serves as an information resource and clearinghouse on conserving horse properties, land use planning, land stewardship/best management practices, trails, liability and equine economic development. For more information about the ELCR visit www.elcr.org or call (859) 455-8383

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The United States’ forest trails for equestrian and recreational access have received a boost with the country’s House Agriculture Committee approving a Trail Bill.

The National Forest Service Trail Stewardship Act of 2015 (H.R.845) has been unanimously approved by the House Committee on Agriculture. The bill, introduced by Congresswomen Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Tim Walz (D-MN), would direct the Forest Service to take several actions to help address the current trail maintenance backlog that is adversely impacting all trail users in many National Forests, including equestrians.

“The recreational horse industry contributes $US32 billion a year to the economy and supports nearly 435,000 jobs nationwide,” said American Horse Council president Julie Broadway...

ou can be a part of the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands this coming Saturday. Throughout the country, about 200,000 people will participate in 2,500 National Public Lands Day events. As part of the celebration, national parks will waive entrance fees and host projects and programs that promote environmental stewardship.

"Whether a neighborhood park or a national park, public lands belong to all of us," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "They might vary in shape and size but they all exist for all of us. Join us on National Public Lands Day and help ensure that these special places can continue to be used for recreation and inspiration."

All 413 National Park Service sites will have free entrance on National Public Lands Day. Those who volunteer for a service project will receive a voucher that permits them into a national park for free on a different day.

Dozens of National Park Service sites will host events. Take part in spring cleaning in Yosemite National Park, repair a horse trail in Catoctin Mountain Park, preserve earthworks at Richmond National Battlefield Park, or restore the tall grass prairie at Pipestone National Monument...

Friday, September 16, 2016

Today, the House Committee on Agriculture unanimously approved the National Forest Service Trail Stewardship Act of 2015 (H.R.845). The bill, introduced by Congresswomen Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Tim Walz (D-MN), would direct the Forest Service to take several actions to help address the current trail maintenance backlog that is adversely impacting all trail users on many national forests, including equestrians. The American Horse Council, Backcountry Horsemen of America, and the Wilderness Society were significantly involved in the creation of this bill.

A June 2013, study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Forest Service has deferred trail maintenance needs that exceed half-billion dollars, and only one-quarter of the agency’s 158,000 miles of trails meets agency standards for maintenance. This maintenance backlog is causing access and safety issues for equestrians and all trail users on national forests.

The National Forest Service Trail Stewardship Act would direct the Forest Service to develop a strategy to more effectively utilize volunteers and partners to assist in maintaining national forest trails. It will also provide outfitters and guides the ability to perform trail maintenance activities in lieu of permit fees. Additionally, the bill would address a liability issue that has discouraged some national forests from utilizing volunteers and partner organizations to help perform trail maintenance and would direct the Forest Service to identify and prioritize specific areas with the greatest need for trail maintenance in the national forest system.

In the current fiscal environment it is unlikely Congress will appropriate additional funds to directly address the trail maintenance backlog. This bill will help improve trail maintenance without the need for additional funding.

The AHC is pleased the House Committee on Agriculture has approved this important legislation.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Dear Friends of the National Park Service and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail,

I am writing to update you on the status of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Extension Study, also known as the Eastern Legacy study. The draft study will be available for review and comment for 45 days, August 15 until September 30.

As directed by Congress, the purpose of the study is to evaluate eastern sites and segments associated with the Lewis and Clark expedition to determine whether those sites and segments should be added to the existing trail. The National Park Service researched, mapped, and evaluated 25 trail segments and additional sites using the criteria outlined in the National Trails System Act. While preparing the draft study, the National Park Service planning team considered public comment and consulted experts on the Lewis and Clark expedition.

American Trails hosts this Webinar on September 8, 2016. Join us to find out how your local trail efforts can shine in the national spotlight! This webinar will introduce you to the National Recreation Trails Program and the National Water Trails System. This webinar is presented by Rory Robinson and Helen Scully with the National Park Service, Jarrett Caston with the U.S. Forest Service, and Liz Sparks with Florida Office of Greenways & Trails.

Date: September 8, 2016

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Pacific (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Eastern)

Cost: FREE

CEUs: Continuing Education Unit credit of 0.10 for attending this webinar is available for an additional charge of $20

WEBINAR OUTLINE

Presenters will highlight the benefits and the value of National Recreation Trails Program and National Water Trails System designation, point out the criteria and requirements for designation, show you how to apply, and relate the experiences of a newly designated trail.

Applications for the next round of designations are being accepted until November 1, 2016.

Rory Robinson will give a brief overview of the National Recreation Trails and National Water Trails programs focusing on the benefits and the value to those who choose to participate in these opportunities.

Helen Scully will introduce the enabling legislation, the criteria and requirements for designation, the information needed for an application, and how to apply. She will walk through the National Recreation Trails website, the NRT online application, the National Water Trails System website, as well as the NWT online application.

Jarrett Caston will discuss the application process for trails administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that include National Forests, National Grasslands, and National Recreation Areas, and associated lands.

Liz Sparks will discuss strategies for achieving success in the designation process, as well as ways to gain support from private and public partners.